KARACHI, May 13 Displaying the best performance of his career, national champion Mohammad Sajjad notched up the highest break (134) of the ongoing 26th Asian Snooker Championship, routing Sitthidead Sackbiang of Laos 5-2 to cruise into the semi-finals in Chanthaburi, Thailand, on Thursday.
The country's top cueist surpassed the break of 130 which was piled up Thailand's Issara Kachaiwong.
Earlier, Sajjad had scored two fluent century breaks of 120 and 117.
A native of Sargodha, Sajjad recovered from 1-2 down to post a remarkable victory over his opponent and maintain his winning streak in the regional contest.
Sajjad won the battle 60-2, 16-68, 15-56, 134-0, 85-0, 124-0, 109-0.
After winning the opener 60-2, Sajjad conceded the next two frames 16-68 and 15-56, only to bounce back virtually outplaying his opponent 134-0, 85-0, 124-0 and 109-0.
“He missed the pink ball that denied him compile possible break of 147,” an elated Alamgir Shaikh, president of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) told Dawn from Thailand late Thursday evening.
Earlier in the day, he struggled to overcome Lee Chun Wai of Hong Kong 4-3 in the pre-quarters. He was home 25-70, 21-78, 79-43, 52-50, 76-62, 50-64, 59-37.
Sajjad's compatriot Asjad Iqbal who stormed into the last-16 met his fate losing 1-4 to Sitthidead Sackbiang. The latter won 78-37, 12-78, 83-2, 73-9, 95-38.
Results
Quarter-final Mohammad Sajjad bt Sitthidead Sackbiang (Laos) 5-2 (60-2, 16-68, 15-56, 134-0, 85-0, 124-0, 109-0).
Pre quarter-finals Mohammad Sajjad bt Lee Chun Wai (Hong Kong) 4-3 (25-70, 21-78, 79-43, 52-50, 76-62, 50-64, 59-37); Sitthidead Sackbiang (Laos) bt Asjad Iqbal 4-1 (78-37, 12-78, 83-2, 73-9, 95-38).
